Laundry shed fire deemed accidental

By Beth A. Birmingham | Jun 20, 2014

Photo by: Beth A. BirminghamA member of the Thomaston Fire Department sprays down the eaves of a laundry shed that caught fire June 20 at Greenfield Apartments. The cause of the blaze is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The fire started on the rear exterior wall of a laundry shed at the 26 Brooklyn Heights complex and traveled into the eaves of the building, according to Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Leo.

A fence caught fire as well, and an abutting building received heat damage to its siding.

It was discovered a contractor, who was replacing some doors at the complex, had piled some empty boxes under a wood pallet behind the shed. The pile was too close to one of the dryer vents, which sparked the blaze.

"It was rendered an accident," said Leo June 21. "There was no foul play involved."

Initially, the State Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate.

Wadsworth Street was closed to through traffic from the bridge by Jeff's Marine to just beyond the complex for more than an hour.